1. EMT Conduit fittings CEU ( Continuing Ed Units ) 2 units
Classroom time 2 hrs.
Larry Beach Jr.
Director – Technical Sales
Bridgeport Fittings Stratford CT.
With rough-in taking up to 60% of the labor on most projects, this is the area where more shortcuts are taken in order to maintain profitability .
This is going to be an overview of EMT conduit fittings
The UL requirements for proper installation
The different types of couplings and connectors in the market
Applications and location requirements
Supporting means
UL changes that can affect your installation
Labeling
How this all applies to NEC today and 2014

2. EMT Couplings and Connectors NEC 358.42
NEC
Proper installation practices per UL guidelines
Compression
Set Screw
Push type
Concrete Tight
Set screw
Push
NEC has specific guidelines when it comes to installing conduit fittings and will direct you back to the manufactures recommendations per the UL standards.
Compression type conduit couplings are to be made up tight. UL requires 18 foot pounds or hand tight plus ½ turn with a wrench,
This will ensure that a proper ground path is maintained throughout the entire conduit run. ( it is very common for inspectors to randomly check installed fittings during their inspection process to be sure fittings are installed properly)
Compression connectors will also require the same installation practice on the gland nut end of the connector and the lock nut will require hand tight plus ¼ turn to assure the box or enclosure maintains the ground path as well. ( Reference the different locknut types and materials available )
Set Screw Couplings will require 35 foot pounds of torque on the set screws and should always be done by hand. Common practice today is to use cordless screw guns that will often over tighten, strip or break the screw boss the set screw seats in.
Push type EMT fittings will require no tooling to install on conduit, Connectors or couplings but will have a traditional lock nut that will require hand tight plus ¼ turn. ( show samples of the push and allow for questions )
Fittings listed concrete tight must be noted on the packaging. This could be Compression or Set screw depending on the manufactures testing's and approvals

3. Threadless couplings and connectors
EMT 2-1/2 and above
GRC in damp or wet locations
NEC
Securing and Supporting
NEC 312.2
is in regards to GRC (Galvanized rigid conduit) in relation to threadless coupling and connectors
Some manufactures have UL approval to use EMT fittings on rigid conduit. 2-1/2 through 4” caries the same OD (Outside diameter) between both EMT and GRC, but not all manufactures have been tested and approved for this application.
Per UL and NEC it must read on the packaging and fitting EMT-Rigid
will also apply here stating that the fitting must be rated for the environment being installed.
I am not aware of any manufacture as of yet that has this approval for use with Rain tight EMT fittings on GRC in damp or wet locations.
just a basic reminder that EMT conduit must be securely fastened every 10 ft. and in addition each EMT run between termination points secured at 3ft of each box, device, cabinet, conduit body or other conduit termination. ( show products available in the market)
312.2 Conduit systems installed in Damp or Wet locations will require the conduit to stand off ¼ “ from finished surface. This is to prevent the buildup of moisture and debris on the top side of the conduit causing a breakdown of the protective coating required by UL.
Show samples of product available for this application.

4. Compression fittings, UL Changes 2002 Rain tight EMT fittings
NEC
Compression fittings, UL Changes 2002
Compression fittings prior to 2002
Rain tight EMT fittings
NEC Raceways in exterior locations
UL 797 Identification and requirements
Damp and Wet locations as described 2014 NEC
Proper termination of Rain tight EMT Connectors
Knockout
Hub
In 2002 UL created a new testing standard for EMT couplings and connectors used in damp or wet locations.
All manufactures had to have their fittings retested to the new testing standards and none of them could pass.
so what we have been doing for many years can no longer be done with the same fitting.
states that you must use a fitting approved for the environment it will be used in, so fittings installed in a wet location must be listed for use in Wet locations. As defined in article 100.
All manufactures have an EMT fitting listed for Wet location now and have had one for the last 6 plus years.
UL requires that the fitting be marked Raintight in the casting or stamped into the steel, come manufactures have colored the gland nuts with a Bold Color for ease of inspection, others chose to mark the fitting Raintight and not have colors that would stand out in order to maintain color consistency, and appearance of the conduit system.
Show Samples of products offered both colored and non-colored
To properly terminate a EMT connector in a Raintight application you will need to know if you are entering a Hub or a Knockout
When terminating into a Hub you must have at least 5 full threads engaged from the EMT fitting into the hub
When terminating into a Knockout, you must have a sealing washer on the outside of the box or enclosure and a standard locknut on the inside.
Many manufactures do not supply the sealing washer with the EMT connectors so be sure to ask the question when buying one.
Another thing to note: check the engineering requirements of your Spec for the project you are working on and or AHJ to be sure they have not deemed and area classified Damp or WET. Parking garage open on all sides ?? Under a overhang or areas of wash-down.

5. Concentric / Eccentric Knockouts
NEC
Concentric / Eccentric Knockouts
Box’s
Panels
Secondary Ground Path
Set screw
Compression
Push
can be an issue in some markets, depending on AHJ.
The manufacture of box’s , Panels enclosures and ?? Containing Concentric or Eccentric knockouts must have their products tested and approved as providing a “Reliable bonding connection”
Just as conduit fittings have been tested to provide a secure bonding connection per UL-514-B
Know the product your are buying and using, don’t let the low cost supplier just ship you something that with out first knowing what they are sending you.
The cost to remove and replace will eat up any profits you planned for on that project.
I conduit system installed per the UL and NEC requirements have proven to be a great secondary ground path if a fault accrues.
Both set screw and compression fittings for EMT baring the UL mark have been tested to the same standard and have passed the fault test.
But you will find many project require Compression fittings indoors, this is a specification due to Engineering claiming that because compression fittings make a full 360deg contact on the conduit, it must be better. UL testing says NOPE, but who are we to question a engineer.!
And again the engineer is relying on the electrician to install the fittings per UL requirements.
There is another option in the market. Push EMT connectors and couplings can and will help both the engineer spec, as well as the electrical contractor.
Push on saving valuable time where no tools are needed
Guaranteed to be tight on the conduit making a full 360deg contact and UL listed and tested to 514-B.

6. NEC 300.4 (H) Expansion Fittings NEC 300.15(F)
EMT
GRC
NEC (F)
Fitting in Lieu of a box
MC to EMT
EMT to GRC
EMT to FMC
EMT to LTFMC
300.4 (H) Protection against physical Damage
This is the requirement for Expansion fittings in conduit systems that crossing structural joints such as a expansion joints in buildings, bridges, parking garages and other structures.
This requirement applies to any fixed conduit system that has no ability to flex. EMT, GRC, IMC, PVC
This can also be required in where a raceways are exposed to different temperatures that can cause thermal expansion or contraction.
300.15(F) A fittings identified for the use shall be permitted in Lieu of a box or conduit body where conductors are not spliced or terminated within the fitting.
This is often referred to as a “FROM – TO” or “GO – TO” in our industry
This is a common practice by using a Rigid coupling with connectors from different systems installed into either end of the coupling.
NEC states that you must use a fitting that is UL listed for the application. (NEED to find the AREA that best defines this Statement )
most Rigid couplings are not UL listed as a stand alone part, they are listed as a assembly for the sole intent to join two lengths of GRC (rigid Conduit) there is a manufacture that makes a UL listed GRC coupling but it to is only listed to join GRC conduit as well.
EMT to MC allows the transition through areas of phyiscal protection ( Surface mounting MC )
EMT to GRC both Raintight and indoor use. Where conduit system rises above the phyiscal protection areas and spec allows the Use of EMT.
EMT to FMC (Flex) where making a flexible connection to a motor, equipment or serviceable installation per NEC
EMT to LTFMC ( Liquid tight Flex) Roof top mechanical equipment fed with conduit will require a transition from EMT conduit to liquid tight when the disconnecting means are permanently installed on, or are part of the unit.
These are all UL listed for the transitions noted.

7. Color identified conduit systems.
Not a code requirement.
Required more often
Colored conduit or fittings ??
What happens if you paint a EMT fitting. ?
Colored systems are becoming more popular today, Engineers and owners want to maintain consistence and reliability throughout all critical circuits with in their building or project.
Red being the most common for fire alarm systems, and Blue for Data but many projects are requiring all systems to be color coded, Dedicated
277volt
Dirty power
Dedicated power
Emergency power
And others.
The most common way to do this has been colored conduit (Pipe), but the labor to schlep 7 different colors of conduit all over the construction site can be and is labor intensive. the growing popularity of colored conduit fittings makes this task far less labor intensive and much easier to control and manage.
All this being said, Don’t go out and buy paint, then have the apprentice paint up a bunch for the project.
you will void any UL approvals that fitting had before it was painted.
All conduit systems must maintain a clear path to ground throughout the entire system. When you apply paint improperly you can and will jeopardize the integrity of the ground path.
Some manufactures have fittings that have been painted and tested by UL that have meet the UL testing requirements of 514B

8. UL-514B / FB-1
Materials
Testing requirements
Standards